Are you Empty?

The word of focus for this study is empty. Empty means to be: “vain”, “hollow”, “empty” or “to make empty”. We are to be filled full of God and the things from Him and never to be this way. We often times come into contact with those that are spiritually empty, or hollow; and it is those whom we are to help.

Ephesians 5:6-18

5:6 vain G 2756; empty, hollow. Stick to the word of God and not the empty words of man. Listening to the words of men over God’s words will leave you spiritually empty.

5:7-8 light dispels darkness as truth dispels lies. We are to walk in that truth that brings clarity and fulfillment in our lives.

5:9 are we producing fruit for God, or are we coming up empty?

5:10-11 reprove G 1651; convict, rebuke. Have fellowship: have a partnership with. Unfruitful works: (compare: Hebrews 6:1, Col 1:21, Rom 13:12, 1 John 3:8). Christ came to heal the sick (spiritually) as we are to do as well; we just don’t want to be partakers of their evil deeds or works. We are also to help those who are being lied to and help them on the right track through the word of God.

5:12-13 it is shameful of those that seek to deceive our brothers and sisters. The correction offered through the word will shine a light on the errors and correction will be made.

5:14 (compare: Isaiah 60:1-2). If you are spiritually empty or dead then allow Christ to come into your life; He will bring hope, salvation and peace! Life without the Lord is dark, lonely and full of emptiness.

5:15 circumspectly G 199; accurately, precisely. This means that we walk with careful consideration of all possible circumstances and consequences. If we are going to help others, we should be cautious of our own walk with God; a hypocrite is a bad thing.

5:16-17 we must make good use of our time and seek the Lords will and not our own. Doing this shows faith and love for our Father!

5:18 don’t turn to things to fill you because they never will! Seek the Lord and He will fill you with the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 2:5-18 

2:5-6 He was to be called Immanuel which is “God with us”. We are to take on the mind set of Christ.

2:7-8 this is love! We are to have this mindset of servitude and others first, with love above all.

2:9-10 every knee will bow and tongue confess to God!

2:11-13 the only way to accept salvation is to accept Jesus Christ as your savior. He will then reside in you and you will be filled like never before!

2:14-15 don’t complain about serving God; it is a pleasure to do so. Remember all eyes are on you to be the example for those who don’t know Jesus. Be patient with those who are lost in the world and its ways and let your light shine!

2:16 Paul didn’t labor in emptiness; we shouldn’t either. We must amount to something for our Father and shine that light forth to those who are empty and lost.

2:17-18 Paul would have sacrificed it all for the cause. We should share in this mindset as well.

Colossians 2:1-10

2:1 Paul was concerned for those he had me and those he had not.

2:2 we must understand the mystery of God; which is the plan of salvation and return of antichrist.

2:3 true treasures are found in the word, for Jesus is the word. If you have truth then you are rich indeed because you know the plan and what the future holds; you are not running on empty.

2:4 many today are deceived by the very teachers who should be teaching the word of God.

2:5-6 be steadfast and walk in happiness with the Lord. Does this describe our walk with God?

2:7 where are our roots planted, with God or others? Remember to give thanks for all He does in our lives.

2:8 if it doesn’t align with the word of God then it doesn’t belong, no matter where you hear it from! the traditions of men will make void the word of God.

2:9-10 we are full in Him, who is in charge of all.

2 Timothy 2:15-21

2:15-16 stay away from untruths and babblings. Ungodliness is going to get worse before it gets better.

2:17-18 don’t mislead God’s children, He doesn’t like it. Stick to the word!

2:19 where is our foundation at? Take the seal of God in you and be filled.

2:20-21 stick with the word of God and be a vessel He can use. If you never open the bible to learn of Him and His plan how can He use you?

Matthew 12:43-45

12:43-44 without Christ and the word of God in our lives this is our house, empty.

12:45 fill yourself with Christ and the word so you are not running on empty and at the mercy of wicked things.

Take off the Shackles

Psalm 102:16-23

102:16-17 Zion H 6726; a mountain in Jerusalem. How do we feel today? Do we ever feel destitute? We can either be shackled to our problems or we can seek God for help; for He hears our prayers!

102:18-19 God sees what is happening on earth. Don’t ever let Satan work his way into your life and make you feel alone and that nobody cares. If you serve God, He knows exactly what is going on in your life at any moment and is there for you.

102:20 all will die in the flesh; it is the death of the soul that is much more important. God can set us free from that death and lead us into eternal life if we will believe.

102:21-22 are we willing to declare the name of the Lord? A relationship is a two way street. If for example you are married and never spend time with your significant other, but tell them you love them, what kind of relationship would you have? Your actions would speak louder than your words; spend time in the word and with God!

102:23 this refers back to verse 3, where the people were complaining how their days on this earth were being consumed like smoke. Don’t allow yourself to get into this defeated mindset. We have God with us; He only strengthens us, never shackles us. The One who created all is there to offer help at any time!

Psalm 146:5-10

146:5-6 the God of Jacob: the God who met Jacob when he had nothing, and deserved nothing (but wrath), and promised him everything (compare Gen 27, Gen 28:13, Gen 32:10). This is the God of Grace, and happy indeed are those who have this God for their God (compare 1 Peter 5:10).

146:7 why would anyone want to face times shackled to your problems? Trust in our Father; He is able to loose us from those shackles!

146:8 God loves those who try to do what is right (the righteous). We all fall short from time to time and Praise God He is there to pick us up when we are down.

146:9 relieveth H 5749; restore, lift up. If you need restoration or to be lifted up from those problems, then seek God. He goes against the wicked and protects you.

146:10 the everlasting God is there for you! This should give us confidence and freedom to know we don’t have to be shackled to our problems. He is worthy to be praised!

Isaiah 58:1-12

58:1 it is needed at times to show the wrongs people are doing; especially teachers of God’s word. Don’t twist the word of God to fit a certain teaching, rather give it to the people straight on.

58:2 we must know the ways of God and His ordinances. This can only be accomplished by getting into His word. Unfortunately many today just like to play church and don’t offer that which can restore and save.

58:3-4 their religion is for show. They do things openly in order to be noticed. Do you think God is happy with these? Of course not; I understand things are tough but that is not an excuse to be defeated by your problems. God has set us free from those shackles! We are children of the most High God.

58:5 bulrush H 100/98; a variety of wetland plants. Remember the famine of these end times is for hearing the word of God (compare Amos 8:11). Don’t allow yourself to be defeated.  Feed on the word of God and fast from the ways of the world.

58:6 don’t allow people to but burdens on you or shackle you down. God cant utilize you if you are always grumpy and defeated.

58:7 these are the things they should be doing. We are to feed the hungry the word of God and to clothe them with the Gospel Armor (compare Ephesians 6).

58:8 rereward H 622; rearguard. God has our back, we have nothing to fear!

58:9 if you we will stay clear of the traditions of men and the shackles they would put on us and focus on the word of God; then He is there for us. This is a promise from God; He wants to help us. This doesn’t mean we will never encounter problems, it just means He will be there and equip us with the tools necessary for victory.

58:10 we must do the things God has for us. Christ came for our example to follow. Read of His ways. We are children of light and if we are doing things right then there is no darkness for us.

58:11 don’t ever forget this verse! Do you want God to guide you continually? While others are suffering drought and famine, we will be well supplied and a source for others (think spiritually).

58:12 Father has chosen us to be restorers of the proper ways to follow. We are to stand against the deception antichrist brings in. We cannot do this if we allow ourselves to become shackled with the problems of this world.

Daniel 3:22-25

3:22-23 even being forcibly bound cannot stop our Father from helping us.

3:24-25 the fourth looked like the son of God because He was. These 3 were loosed from the shackles of having to worship a false god. He is able to loos us as well. We must have the faith to believe and stand for what is right!

Mark 10:42-45

10:42-43 to be in great power is not to lord it over them but to serve as Christ showed us.

10:44-45 ransom G 3083; something to loosen, redemption price. Jesus gave His life to loosen our shackles, if you will just believe on Him. He paid the price, don’t be shackled!